VehicleVerdict

2012 Chevrolet Volt electrical system problems

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt has 93 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 26% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

93

Electrical System complaints

26%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Volt electrical system complaints by model year319 complaints2011: 24 complaints2012: 93 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 29 complaints2015: 18 complaints2016: 80 complaints2017: 319 complaints2018: 83 complaints2019: 12 complaints
Volt electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

15V145000Electrical SystemMarch 13, 2015 · 50,236 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to recharge the electric battery.

Consequence

If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14617.

What owners report

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG / SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINANTS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND MY PASSENGER WAS ALMOST KILLED AS THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURES REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THESE SEAT SENSORS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?

NHTSA has 93 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt electrical system — 26% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 15V145000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.